By Serdar Dincel
ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that a recent Ethiopia-Somalia agreement brokered by his country was a "strong manifestation" of its understanding of diplomacy for "fair and sustainable" solutions.
"Throughout the process, we have listened carefully to the sensitivities, priorities and expectations of the parties," Fidan said on X.
"With the contributions of both countries, we have produced the Ankara Declaration. Focusing not on the past, but on the future, this joint declaration sets out the principles on which the two friendly countries will build their cooperation," he added.
Underlining that the accord marks an "important" milestone towards resolving the long-standing disputes between the two Horn of Africa nations, Fidan said Türkiye pioneered a "historic" step contributing to stability, peace and prosperity on the African continent.
He thanked Somalia and Ethiopia for their confidence in Ankara's mediation and their "constructive approach," noting that Türkiye would continue its support to move the process forward and strengthen cooperation between the parties.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted his Somalian counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara on Wednesday before the three leaders announced the pact.
“We have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace, cooperation between Somalia, Ethiopia,” Erdogan said at a joint news conference in Turkish capital.
In 1991, Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia, leading to the establishment of two separate nations. The separation resulted in Ethiopia losing direct access to the Red Sea and key ports.
The two East African countries have been at odds since Ethiopia struck a deal with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland on Jan. 1 to use its Red Sea port of Berbera. Türkiye has been working to end tensions between the two countries.
However, after their meeting with Erdogan in Ankara, Somalia and Ethiopia affirmed each other's sovereignty, unity and independence in a joint statement, called as Ankara declaration, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.